NFL Commissioner surprises Vikings fans

MINNEAPOLIS -- For the hundreds of fans tailgating on a brisk fall afternoon on Sunday came a big surprise: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.

He was bombarded by fans outside and inside the Metrodome. Goodell greeted fans and many thanked him for helping move the Vikings stadium along.

The $975 million stadium almost didn't get done. It was widely considered to be dead in the legislature until Goodell came along.

"It was a lot of hard work, a lot of time, a lot of leadership by the public sector and the private sector here in Minneapolis. The fans played a big role too. I think their constant support of the Vikings helped get it done so I think it's going to be great," Goodell said.

Goodell also briefly mentioned the new stadium could give the Vikings a chance to host the Super Bowl in the future. He hinted 2018 or 2019 would the earliest. The last time Minnesota hosted a Super Bowl was in 1992.